Wigan coach trashed at Manchester United game

Damage to the Eavesway coach at the West Ham v Manchester United game. Photo taken from Sky Sports

Greg Farrimond

Published:11:24Wednesday 11 May 2016

Share this article

West Ham supporters responsible for trashing a coach belonging to Wigan firm Eavesway have been threatened with life bans.

Missiles were pelted at he bus, which was taking the Manchester United first team to their clash with the Hammers for the last game at the Boleyn ground.

None of the players onboard were hurt but four police offers were as trouble continued inside the ground too.

Images of the coach, belonging to Ashton-based Eavesway Travel, went viral as kick off was delayed due to it being halted on its journey.

The firm has today declined to comment on the incident saying any comment will come via Manchester United.

The Metropolitan Police said no arrests have been made over criminal damage to the coach but three men were arrested during the game, including a 20-year-old on suspicion of affray and a 47 year old and 18 year old for pitch incursion.

It wasn’t nice. The coach got smashed up, but we are here now. I’m sure you’ll see the images

Wayne Rooney

Officers from the Met’s Central Football Unit are scouring CCTV footage and have appealed for witnesses.

None of the players on the bus were injured while the male officers suffered minor injuries, a spokesman added.

Manchester United players including vice-captain Michael Carrick cowered in mock fear as their team bus was pelted with missiles, video footage from inside the coach appears to show.

Bottles and other items were thrown at the bus and pieces were seen falling from the tinted windows as a crowd of fans gathered outside the east London ground, which has been home to the Hammers for 112 years.

A number of United players, wearing their team suits, are seen - in footage posted online - filming events outside the window as others lie in the aisle while thuds are heard and objects are seen being thrown at the windows.

Among those appearing to have taken to the aisle for refuge are England internationals Carrick and Phil Jones and Belgian player Adnan Januzaj, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is seen sitting by the window with his phone.

Shortly after the incident United captain Wayne Rooney told Sky Sports: “It wasn’t nice. The coach got smashed up, but we are here now. I’m sure you’ll see the images.

“It’s not for me to say, but it was disappointing of course. It’s a big night for West Ham, but I’m sure West Ham as a club will be disappointed with what the fans have done.”

Before kick-off West Ham co-owner David Sullivan appeared to claim incident had not taken place despite there being clear video footage of the incident.

He told BBC Five Live: “There was no attack on the coach,” and added: “If you check the coach there won’t be any damage.”

However, after the game West Ham put out an official statement saying “It was an extraordinary night full of extraordinary moments in front of extraordinary fans. 99 percent of whom behaved impeccably and were a credit to the club.

“We have already had thousands of Tweets and emails from fans to say how proud they were to be a part of such a special evening in West Ham’s history.

“However, we are aware that there were some supporters outside the Boleyn Ground who didn’t act in an appropriate way when the Manchester United team bus was damaged.

“That was not acceptable and we will work with the police to identify those responsible and ban them for life.”

Trending

Attempted murder investigation launched after man was stabbed

Two men arrested in arson investigation

Search for group to take over former library building

Wigan nightclub's lasting memorial to Alicia

New offers of help in quest to find tragic murder victim Helen McCourt after TV show